Over the last 2 years, the Chinese multinational tech giant, Huawei has been developing 5G smartphones. This new technology consists of a faster and more efficient way to deliver mobile data around the city. Its innovative potential is much higher because you can connect different devices at the same time and all of them will still have an ultra fast internet speed. This technology is believed to be 100 times faster than the previous 4G network. 5G promises the extension of broadband, which means that people in rural areas would also have access to it. Virtual reality, 3D holograms and augmented reality are possible as well. Its public space benefits allow people to track traffic or livestream events. The latency is also important. This refers to everything being connected to Wi-Fi, from shoes to common household appliances. To sum it up, 5G can enhance your whole network experience.
However, there are also negative effects that have recently obliged presidents and ministers to ban this new technology. In the previous month, the UK decided to prohibit the commercialization of Huawei's 5G technology due to allegations about the involvement of Chinese espionage. The British government is particularly afraid of the involvement of Ren Zhengfei, founder of Huawei and former Chinese army officer. He is also a member of the Chinese Community party, making suspicions stronger. He was accused of using this technology to spy on their city and alter their security systems. The company denies this work because they strictly follow the policy of never compromising or harming any country, organization, or individual, especially when it comes to cyber-security and user privacy protection.
In fact, substantial evidence of this accusation has not yet been found. UK law enforcement officers subjected these rumours to some tests and could not identify malicious intentions behind the network although they did find some serious problems with their own cyber security, so decided to ban 5G for safety purposes.
The United States government decided to create their own 5G technology with local companies such as Verizon, T Mobile, AT&T and Sprint. Republican senators still fear rumours that Huawei offers China “effective control of the digital commanding heights.” (The New Yorker). They compareit to events in Addis Ababa, home to African Union’s headquarters, where Huawei systems were installed in the building and the company allegedly sent sensitive data to Beijing. This ended with a Huawei hardware ban in the US as well.
Although this news could be appalling to fans of AI and technology, companies around the world are still attempting to proceed with their advances in 5G. Although the realm of technology may be dangerously competitive, the human race is innovating together to aim for a fourth Industrial Revolution.
By: Andrea Livia
Bowler, Tim. “Huawei: Why Is It Being Banned from the UK's 5G Network?” BBC News, BBC, 14 July 2020, www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47041341.
Halpern, Sue. “The Terrifying Potential of 5G Technology.” The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2019, www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-communications/the-terrifying-potential-of-the-5g-network.
Tech, Personal. “Why Is 5G Important?” About Verizon, Verizon, 6 Nov. 2019, www.verizon.com/about/our-company/5g/why-5g-important-discover-importance-5g-technology.
“What Is the Difference between 4G and 5G?” Just Ask Thales EN, 17 Oct. 2019, https://justaskthales.com/en/difference-4g-5g/#:~:text=Simply%20said%2C%205G%20is%20widely,100%20times%20faster%20than%204G